Search - Marvin Gaye :: What's Going on (Dlx) (Dig)

It's Finally Here, All The Kudos Goes To Motown & Universal!

Brandon Ousley | Chicago, Illinois United States | 05/20/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was really surprised when I saw the deluxe edition of Marvin Gaye's 1971 magnum opus, "What's Going On". I asked myself, "How many times has this classic been remastered?" "Isn't this the 4th or 5th time it has been reissued?" After buying this and listening to the whole set, I have to say this is the definitive version of "What's Going On". This edition is split up in six different sections, with the first being the original album, which was released on May 21, 1971. The title track, "What's Going On", is probably one of Marvin's most widely-recognized song. This song creates complex, jazz elements with soulful harmonies and soft strings. Marvin uses social conscious lyrics to create a poignant, yet personal classic about our world. "What's Happening Brother" has Marvin talking about his brother coming out of the war and how and what he is doing. "Flyin' High In The Friendly Sky" has Marvin talking about the dangers of drugs. "Save The Children" is a sad, powerful, and deep song with Gaye using descriptive lyrics on how we are making a negative world for our children. "God Is Love" is where Gaye gets on his spiritual side, and lets the world know that God is his true friend and how we need more love in the world. "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)" is the perfect example of an artist tackling the negatives of our environment. Marvin touches on nearly everything our environment lacks. "Right On" is an adventurous, musical journey with a deep latin feel in the song. Gaye discusses social issues such as poverty. "Wholy Holy" has Gaye using a more religious approach to cover an aspect on hate. "Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)" is the song that just sends chills up my spine. Marvin talks about both the personal and social issues people are going through in America. It is a spare, yet amazing piece of work that closes this brilliant song cycle of a man struggling in America with both personal and social issues of a nation, a revolution, and a state.



The second section, which is the "Detroit Mix" of the whole original album, is really a treat because it gives you a first glance of how this album was going to sound without some of the special overdubbing and multitracking effects that was done on the album you're familiar with. This mix is different because the bass is richer and the production is more raw. The third and final section of disc one is called, "The Foundation", which is a simple rhythm and strings instrumental mix of the title track, "What's Going On". The fourth section opens disc 2 with a 12-track live concert that took place at Washington D.C.'s Kennedy Center. What is special about this section of this disc is that it showcases Marvin doing a live concert for the first time in four years since his beloved friend, Tammi Terrell died in his arms on stage. It also showcases his stagefright since those four years passed. Over the course of the concert, he sings not only all of the songs from the "What's Going On" album, he does a memorable medley of some of his 60's hits with Tammi Terrell. Marvin and his backing band sounds unfocused here, but they seem to put on a good show. The fifth section, are single versions of the songs, "What's Going On", "God Is Love", and "Sad Tomorrows", which is a different version of "Flyin' High In The Friendly Sky". All of the songs on this section are very differnt from the ones you heard on the original album. The final section called, "In The Meantime...", is a song that is the earlier version of his 1972 hit, "Distant Lover". The lyrics are completely different from that song. It is crucial because it shows his transition from being a social political artist to a timeless balladeer. Overall, this edition of "What's Going On" is certain a set you will treasure forever because it is a revolutionary and timeless soul classic that is made better. This lavish, detailed package comes with a 28-page booklet with insightful essays from Smokey Robinson and Ben Edmonds, rare and unseen pictures, and detailed recording information. The remastering that has been done to this set is top-notch and this is probably the best packaging I've ever seen done to a reissue. This is definitely a package every fan or listener of music should have, even if you're not a soul music fan. It is a historical album that is worth every dollar and worth every bit of your time becuase it is not only one of the greatest soul albums of all-time, but it is certainly one of the greatest albums of all-time. A+"

A Remastered and Expanded Classic

Ron Frankl | Hendersonville, NC | 03/02/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Marvin Gaye's "Whats Going On" is one of the greatest albums of the rock era (post-1955), in R & B or in any genre. A brilliant, topical song cycle that somehow has never lost its relevance, it was easily the artistic highpoint of Gaye's star-crossed career. Soulful, beautiful and thought-provoking, it belongs in every collection. Gaye was one of the finest singers of his generation, and he sounds wonderful on this album.Universal, the owners of the Motown catalog, have reissued this 1971 album with remastered sound, new material and an excellent booklet. They give "What's Going On" the same treatment that "Blind Faith" received a few months back. Like the earlier release, Gaye's album sounds terrific. Much of Motown's '60's and '70's material had sounded mediocre in its initial LP versions, and the early CD reissues were not much better. Here, finally, the perfection of Gaye's work is apparent. Familiar songs like "Mercy, Mercy Me," "Inner City Blues" and the title track sound more powerful than ever. The booklet includes several good essays and previously unseen photos.Once again, as with the "Blind Faith" reissue, the new material is a bit of a letdown. An alternate (earlier) mix of the entire album is included that is interesting but hardly essential. There are also two outtakes that serve more as curiosities than anything else. The single mixes of several songs are also here.The second disc includes a previously unreleased Gaye concert recorded in 1972 in his hometown, Washington, D.C. that marked the singers' first live performance in four years. Gaye, who suffered from stage fright, is in good form here, although the band soundss underrehearsed and a little sloppy. Still, Marvin seems to be having fun, and he performs the entire "Whats Going On" album and other material. Which brings us to another problem; if you buy this set you had better love the songs, because some of them are heard in four, count' em, four different versions.Gaye's fans will certainly want to own this package, and less devoted listeners will probably enjoy it, too. Still, one can't help but feel that this set has been padded out to two discs to enable the record label to charge a relatively steep price. Budget-conscious listeners may wish to wait to see if Universal will issue the remastered album on its own."

Nice package

Derrick A. Smith | USA | 03/06/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Some quick thoughts on the Deluxe Edition:1) The previous "deluxe edition" of the album (the one with the slipcase and the David Ritz essay) still may be the ideal issue, although I've noticed the remastering on the newest edition de-emphasizes the bassiness of that remastering (of the released mix.) Some may find this a step backward, but it's my feeling that this time around the technical team was aiming for a more "authentic" mastering - U.S. engineers watched the levels more closely in the early 70s! 2) The Detroit mix begins and ends brilliantly; I prefer the title track, "What's Happening, Brother", and "Inner City Blues" to the released versions; they have more grit and wit than the released mixes, and causes me to wonder if applying a given production strategy to an entire album is always preferable. However, some of the material in the middle simply sounds unfinished, and the mix of Marvin's voices with the instrumental tracks can be uncomfortable. 3) If there's any single reason to buy this set, it is Disc 2. Marvin was reportedly never comfortable in live situations, but his 1972 Kennedy Center show displays some remarkable vocal bits; and the songs sometimes benefit from the skeletally-rhythmic nature of the band's performance. Marvin's pianistic skills are also highlighted, and the entire show sounds more like Trouble Man than What's Going On, which is interesting and, for me, a good thing.4) The nascent "Distant Lover" is hilarious."